Celebrated annually, International Women’s Day (IWD) is as a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.
The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality. The first IWD gathering was in 1911, supported by over a million people.
At Transport of the North, we aim to become an exemplary Equality and Diversity employer, and are passionate about recognising the achievements of every single colleague.
Every International Women’s Day since 1996 has had a theme. The first was about “celebrating the past, planning the future” and this year the #IWD2021 campaign theme is #ChooseToChallenge with a call to action for us to all step up and challenge inequity.
“A challenged world is an alert world. Individually, we’re all responsible for our own thoughts and actions – all day, every day. We can all choose to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality. We can all choose to seek out and celebrate women’s achievements. Collectively, we can all help create an inclusive world.”
In celebration of this year’s International Women’s Day, we asked women from Transport for the North about some of the challenges they face (personal or professional) and how they overcome them.
Lucy Hudson, Principal Policy Officer Freight and Logistics: “I’m sure most of you have heard of endometriosis – The easiest way to explain the disease of endometriosis is that the tissue that should live in my womb has taken residence everywhere in my pelvis. This includes on my bladder, bowel and all over my womb as well as other places. Originally endometriosis was given levels to mark the severity of disease.
“It doesn’t anymore but the disease I have means it is called Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis (DIE), a very apt acronym. It’s the most severe. Is there a cure? Nope!! Now I have been diagnosed I’ll probably have surgeries to cut away new growth every two years or so.
“To overcome the effects of this disease I have started counselling to help me understand my body and illness better, adapted my working style and I’m now taking new medication.”
Gemma Rathbone (she/her), Principal Media & Communications Officer: “One of the biggest challenges I think many women face is not having a strong role model within their own organisation. Visibility of women in leadership roles is so important as it helps to empower others and give them confidence and an example to follow to achieve their own career goals.
“Where this is missing, and it too often is, I turn to colleagues at other levels, or look outside the organisation, to find a powerful woman I can relate to, learn from, and emulate.
“We really need those women who are in leadership to be loud and proud about what they do; to be visible in all aspects of their work; and to be actively supporting other women to help them progress too.”
All around the world, millions of women still face challenges. Why not pledge to challenge the status quo?
Choose to call out gender bias and inequality, value women’s contributions, be an advocate for women in your workplace, because from challenge comes change, which goes a long way in creating an inclusive world.